Old Fashioned Stollen

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 5 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 1 egg, beaten

Directions

In a small saucepan, heat milk until hot, but not boiling; mix in 1/2 cup sugar, salt, lemon zest, and butter. Remove from heat, and cool slightly. In a small bowl, mix together yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/4 cup water; stir into milk. Beat in 2 eggs and egg yolks. Mix in 3 cups flour. Cover, and let rise in a warm place.

Mix in the raisins and nuts. Gradually mix in enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough. Place dough in a well-oiled bowl, cover, and set aside to rise.

Divide dough into 3 balls. Roll each ball out into a thick log, braid, and tuck the ends under. Place on a large cookie sheet, and set aside to rise one more time.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Brush beaten egg over the dough. It gives a shine to it.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes.